Nicole is a familiar face at Sylvanvale. Her journey with us began more than 45 years ago when, at three years old, she attended the Sylvanvale School – the foundation that eventually evolved into Sylvanvale as we know it today.
After a short break to attend Bates Drive School, Nicole returned at 18 to join our Social Skills group, marking the start of a new chapter in her life.
Much has changed since Nicole first joined. Recently, we spoke with Nicole’s mother, Jill, who shared her reflections on Nicole’s progress and her own dedicated support for Sylvanvale.
“Social Skills was where Nicole really started to come into her own,” Jill said. “Back then, the disability sector was shifting. Instead of doing everything for people living with disability, the focus moved to teaching real-life skills so they could do things themselves.”
Nicole thrived in the Social Skills program at our old Kirrawee facility, learning practical skills like cooking and cleaning alongside a supportive group of peers.
Planting the seed for a new program
About a decade ago, Sylvanvale began planning a new social and community day program after acquiring a new building. That vision became Garden House. Jill said she knew immediately that it would be perfect for Nicole.
“From the moment Nicole started at Garden House, she hasn’t looked back,” Jill said. “She adores music, and the music therapy sessions are her absolute favourite.”
She noted Nicole’s remarkable transformation since joining. Once shy and introverted, Nicole now embraces dressing up in wigs, colourful accessories, and even quirky outfits for Zumba classes. Jill reflected on a recent photo of Nicole gardening while wearing a horse-head hat over her sunhat: “There was a time she would have hated that. Now, she loves it!”
“The atmosphere at Garden House has brought so much joy into Nicole’s life,” she said.
A Community That Feels Like Home
For Jill, Garden House is a community. “My favourite memory isn’t one moment; it’s seeing how Garden House has grown and meeting all the wonderful people here,” she said. “It’s a pleasure coming here, and I often probably overstay my welcome.
“Each time I bring someone new here – every one of them greeted warmly by Rhonda – they get bitten by the bug, so to speak.
“Anyone thinking of joining or having a loved one join Garden House should come and experience half an hour here. Feel the atmosphere and the love. It’s so worth it.
Giving Back Through Crocheting
Since Nicole joined Garden House, Jill has become one of its strongest supporters, bringing friends into the fold and fundraising through her passion for crocheting.
“It started by accident,” Jill said. “I saw how awful the old roller door was on the garage they were turning into a studio.
“The rotten thing was heavy and cumbersome. When it was down, the place was dark and dingy, and when it was up it let too many elements into the place.
“So we worked to get rid of it and replace it with bi-folds. The carpenter around the corner from me and his apprentice installed it and took the old roller door away.”
While some of Jill’s group of crocheting crusaders have dropped off and new ones have joined over the years, she said that, for the most part, it’s the same group that’s been fundraising since the beginning.
“Everyone gets so much pleasure out of it,” Jill said. “Many of us sit year-round knitting blankets and shawls, and we just love it especially knowing it goes to a good cause.
“I’m just the coordinator who delivers the items at the end of the day; it’s such a strong group of ladies who work really hard to support Garden House.”
New Life at Garden House
The latest in a long list of donations include a flock of chicks that the people at Garden House are raising. The participants at Garden House have absolutely adored seeing them grow over the past few weeks after hatching and spend as much time as they can with them.
